King James Version

What Does Mark 5:43 Mean?

Mark 5:43 in the King James Version says “And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.”

Mark 5:43 · KJV

Context

41

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. Jesus' response to the miracle reveals His priorities. 'He charged them straitly' (διεστείλατο αὐτοῖς πολλά, diesteilato autois polla) means He strongly commanded or strictly ordered them. 'That no man should know it' (ἵνα μηδεὶς γνοῖ τοῦτο, hina mēdeis gnoi touto) seems paradoxical—how could they hide a public death and resurrection? Jesus sought to limit sensational publicity that would hinder His ministry and turn Him into mere miracle-worker rather than Messiah. He wanted focus on His teaching and identity, not spectacle-seeking.

'Commanded that something should be given her to eat' shows beautiful pastoral care. After demonstrating cosmic power over death, Jesus attends to practical need—feeding a hungry child. This reveals Jesus' character: sovereign power combined with tender concern for basic human needs. Eating proved she was genuinely alive (not ghost or vision), provided needed nourishment after illness/death, and returned her to normal family life. The detail illustrates incarnational theology—Jesus cares about both eternal souls and temporal bodies, spiritual needs and physical necessities. His ministry addressed whole persons, not disembodied spirits. This balance challenges both hyper-spirituality that ignores physical needs and materialism that ignores spiritual realities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' command for secrecy (the 'Messianic Secret' in Mark) served multiple purposes: preventing premature popular messianic movement that would force political confrontation before appointed time, avoiding mob enthusiasm that would hinder teaching ministry, and managing expectations about His messianic identity (suffering servant, not military deliverer). The request was practically impossible—how hide that a publicly dead girl now lived? Yet it delayed widespread sensational reports long enough for Jesus to continue ministry in the region. The command to feed her reflected Jewish understanding that eating proved resurrection—ghosts didn't eat, but resurrected bodies did. Later, Jesus Himself ate fish after resurrection to prove His bodily reality (Luke 24:41-43). The mundane detail (give her food) after cosmic miracle (raising dead) illustrates the incarnation's mystery: fully divine (conquers death) yet fully human (cares about child's hunger). Early church fathers noted the progression: Jesus raises the dead, then ensures she eats—similarly, He gives spiritual life (regeneration) then provides spiritual food (Word and sacraments) for growth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' balance between cosmic power (raising the dead) and mundane care (feeding the hungry) inform Christian ministry priorities today?
  2. What does Jesus' concern to limit sensational publicity teach about pursuing faithful obedience over public acclaim or impressive results?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διεστείλατο2 of 13

“he charged”

G1291

to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e., (by implication) to enjoin

αὐτῇ3 of 13

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πολλὰ4 of 13

“straitly”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἵνα5 of 13

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μηδεὶς6 of 13

“no man”

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

γνῷ7 of 13

“should know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τοῦτο8 of 13

“it”

G5124

that thing

καὶ9 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν10 of 13

“commanded”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δοθῆναι11 of 13

“that something should be given”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτῇ12 of 13

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

φαγεῖν13 of 13

“to eat”

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 5:43 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 5:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 8:4Mark 1:43Matthew 9:30Mark 7:36Matthew 12:16-18John 5:41

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